Singapore Grand Prix race predictions as F1 experts share whether Max Verstappen will win again

Follow us on Google Discover

The Singapore Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend, with all eyes on Max Verstappen and whether he can beat the McLaren drivers again this weekend.

Verstappen has displayed his impressive skills over the previous two races, with wins in both Monza and Baku, with many now wondering if he can pull himself back into championship contention.

Despite the run of race wins, the Dutchman could struggle this weekend, with the Red Bull car struggling more than other top teams with the higher downforce circuits.

The Singapore Grand Prix is the only track on the 2025 calendar that has not been won by Verstappen during his 11 years in Formula 1.

This weekend could prove important to both championships, with McLaren able to secure the constructors’ title if they score 13 points. The team also needs to ensure they are not outscored by Mercedes or Ferrari by 31 or 35 points respectively.

It was a disappointing weekend for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, last time out in Baku, with the Aussie struggling with a false start before crashing his car into the Turn 3 barrier.

Norris needed a strong weekend to pull himself back towards his teammate in the fight for the drivers’ title, but struggled for pace and ultimately finished in seventh.

Our expert writers have given their predictions for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, including whether Verstappen can take the win and if McLaren can make a comeback.

Read more: Singapore Grand Prix: how to watch, UK timings and weather as McLaren target championship victory

Who is taking pole position at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix?

Shay Rogers: “I expect that a Ferrari driver will take pole position this weekend. Judging by how closely matched they were in Baku, it’s hard to pick between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but they’re going to want to bounce back from what was a poor result.

“In 2023, Singapore was the only race won by someone other than Red Bull, and it was Ferrari. Their car can work well around the Marina Bay circuit, and I expect them to go well in the colder conditions at night, as was the case during Friday practice in Azerbaijan.”

Can Max Verstappen win the Singapore Grand Prix?

Ashley Hambly: “No, the streets of Singapore will continue to haunt Max Verstappen as the only circuit on the 2025 F1 calendar that he hasn’t stood on the top step of the podium at.

“Whilst you can never count Verstappen out of a Grand Prix, given his impressive runs at Monza and Baku, the nature of the Marina Bay Street Circuit may prove to be too much for the limit of the RB21.

“Verstappen has told Red Bull to improve his grip if they want him to emerge as a contender to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the 2025 title, a key trait that the McLaren MCL39 has excelled at during the current campaign.

“The four-time world champion will need some serious luck to go in his favour for him to be able to get the better of the McLaren duo in Singapore, with Norris and Piastri benefiting from the extra incentive of tying up the constructors’ championship following their failure to clinch it in Azerbaijan.”

Can McLaren make a comeback this weekend or will it be another disappointing race?

Ben Evans: “The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will almost certainly be the nadir of McLaren’s season considering how dominant they’ve been throughout 2025.

“Lando Norris showed last season how quick McLaren can be in Singapore, and while their rivals have taken steps forward in recent races, particularly Red Bull, it’s hard to see either driver repeating their struggles from Baku.

“However, Norris kissed the barriers on several occasions on his way to victory in Singapore last year. Piastri has hit the barriers at both previous street races this season too, suggesting that he needs to be very careful this weekend.

“Nothing is guaranteed in Formula 1, but McLaren should clinch the constructors’ championship on Sunday, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if both drivers were on the podium.”

Who is winning the race this weekend?

David Comerford: “Following on from Ben’s point, I’ll go for Lando Norris. Piastri may be a little bit more cautious this weekend, but his teammate simply has to be aggressive.

“Juan Pablo Montoya has urged Piastri to target a podium, rather than a win, so that he can stabilise his season after an error-strewn Baku weekend. An 18-point lead (assuming he finishes second behind Norris) looks precarious compared to his 34-point advantage a few races ago, but he’d still back himself to see it through with that kind of buffer.”